Which statement about thrombolysis BP monitoring is true?

Which statement about thrombolysis BP monitoring is true?

• A. BP monitoring is optional after treatment
• B. BP targets are not important after reperfusion
• C. BP monitoring should be every 60 minutes only
• D. BP monitoring schedule is every 15 minutes for 2 hours, every 30 minutes for 6 hours, then every hour for 16 hours

Answer: (D)

After thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke, blood pressure must be watched very closely because maintaining safe pressures helps prevent hemorrhagic transformation and rebleeding while the brain is reperfusing. The targets are to keep systolic blood pressure generally below 180 and diastolic below 105 for the first 24 hours after treatment, with IV antihypertensives used as needed to stay within this range. To catch problems early, vital signs, especially BP, are checked very frequently in the initial hours: every 15 minutes for the first two hours, then every 30 minutes for the next six hours, and finally every hour for the following 16 hours. This 24-hour schedule reflects the period of highest risk after reperfusion. Monitoring less often could miss dangerous BP spikes that might lead to bleeding in the brain or impede recovery. The other statements imply no monitoring, no BP targets, or insufficient monitoring frequency, which would not provide the necessary safety after thrombolysis.

After thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke, blood pressure must be watched very closely because maintaining safe pressures helps prevent hemorrhagic transformation and rebleeding while the brain is reperfusing. The targets are to keep systolic blood pressure generally below 180 and diastolic below 105 for the first 24 hours after treatment, with IV antihypertensives used as needed to stay within this range. To catch problems early, vital signs, especially BP, are checked very frequently in the initial hours: every 15 minutes for the first two hours, then every 30 minutes for the next six hours, and finally every hour for the following 16 hours. This 24-hour schedule reflects the period of highest risk after reperfusion. Monitoring less often could miss dangerous BP spikes that might lead to bleeding in the brain or impede recovery. The other statements imply no monitoring, no BP targets, or insufficient monitoring frequency, which would not provide the necessary safety after thrombolysis.